The Egyptian Organization for Human Rights (EOHR) has recently received the NGO’s draft law made by the Human Rights’ Committee of the Egyptian People’s Assembly, including many restrictions on the actions of the local and international civil society organizations, specially funding issues.

Mr. Hafez Abu Seada, the head of EOHR, stated that the draft law includes many negative aspects:

-The definition of NGO included only handling activities related to sustainable development and tolerance; nothing is related to human rights’ enhancement or even spreading the human rights’ culture.

-The draft law did not mention that the local rules of each NGO must include allowed ways of dissolving.

-NGOs must have prior permission from the specialized ministry in order to receive funds provided by local or international individuals or agencies. According to article no. 12, the executive rules explain how to obtain the funding permission and the required documents.

-The draft law imposes restrictions on registration of NGOs. NGOs must submit their local constitutions to the regional federation of NGOs, formed according to this law.

-The law imposes restrictions on the NGOs activities. NGOs are allowed to handle social care and society enlightening. NGOs are banned from handling the human rights’ issues, which are based on the international standards of human rights.

-Article 20 conditioned obtaining permission from the regional federation and the concerned ministry, if NGOs intend to join membership of an agency of NGO outside Egypt.

Sanctions:

According to article no. 9, NGOs cand be fined, LE 100.000 or either dissolved if makes mistake of those mentioned in points 1, 2 and 3[1]. If the head of NGO made any financial mistake, he can be fined LE 10.000 to 100.000, according to article no. 42, of law no. 84, year 2002.

Controlling NGO’s board:

Article no. 27, gives the regional federation the right to monitor the NGO’s board. The head of the regional federation can also call for general assembly for electing the board members within 60 days and a board member operates the NGO until having the new board members selected.

Powers of the regional federation of NGOs:

-The law gives broad powers to the regional federation of NGOs; for example, the NGOs boards must inform the regional federation about any change of the board formation, new members or duties, article 48.

Mr. Hafez Abu Seada, the head of EOHR, stated that the only positive aspect of this law is registration of NGOs by notification of the administrative body responsible for registration, which means that the new NGOs will not be in need to prior approval from the administrative body for registration. The draft law also mentioned that new NGOs registration cannot be rejected for any reason. He also emphasized that EOHR, since it was established in 1985, call for registration of NGOs by notifying the administrative body responsible for registration; NGOs should be established upon will of the founders.

[1] Article 9 mentions handling all the activities related to social care, development, enlightening, religious, cultural, sporting and political participation.

-Secret activities-NGOs are not allowed, especially those that handle the following:

1-Forming military troops

2-Racial discrimination and activities related to threatening national unity

3-Practicing profitable activities aimed at payment of the NGOs members, but making revenues contribute to achievement of NGOs activities is acceptable.

This entry was posted on Monday, May 14th, 2012 at 4:57 pm
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